Vol75-07 July 2025
Member newsletter for Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative
Tips on staying safe this summer
Overhead power lines carry high voltages and maintain only a coating of insulation to protect them from weathering. If your body or anything you are touching comes in contact with the power line, the results could be fatal. Electricity will course through your equipment and you, and that current can heat up and burn the tissue inside the body. If you become the easiest path to ground, the results could be deadly.
Electric shock drowning prevention
Summer in Southern Maryland means time on the water—whether it’s out on the Bay or at your local marina. But there’s a hidden danger swimmers need to know about: Electric Shock Drowning (ESD).
Stay safe while sailing
When sailing, beware of overhead power lines.
Make sure that your sailboat has proper clearance from any power lines that may cross over waterways or launching ramps.
The boat’s mast must never make contact with overhead lines.
A simple upgrade for big savings
Heating and cooling can account for over 50 percent of your home’s energy use. Smart thermostats offer an easy and efficient way to manage home temperatures compared to traditional programmable models. They learn your household preferences, adjust temperatures automatically for comfort and efficiency, and allow remote control from any wi-fi enabled device. By optimizing heating and cooling, smart thermostats help maintain comfort while aiming to reduce unnecessary energy use and costs.
Invest in your future and save
The EmPOWER Maryland charge funds programs that can help you reduce your energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions and save you money. Since the inception of the EmPOWER Maryland program in 2008, the programs have saved $14.5 billion on installed measures at a cost of $4.1 billion. In addition to new program costs, this charge includes paying off the uncollected costs that were accrued over time by programs required by the EmPOWER statute and authorized by the Maryland Public Service Commission. In accordance with House Bill 864 the uncollected amounts will be fully paid by the end of 2032. For more information, including how to participate in these valuable programs, go to SMECO.coop/Save.
Standard Offer Service rate update
Total residential Standard Offer Service (SOS) rate for June: $0.109408 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
- Summer Residential Energy Charge: $0.1057 per kWh
- June Residential Power Cost Adjustment (PCA): $0.003708 per kWh
SMECO’s PCA for June was 3.51% greater than the current residential base SOS rate.
Community Calendar
Find out about upcoming events in Southern Maryland.
